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| My sweet boys. |
I don’t know why I wanted to write a post summing up the last 8 months. Partially so I don’t forget (I shamefully admit it’s easy for me to do), and I guess the other part is to share.
Right now, Grayson has no teeth. Nada. I keep thinking he’s going to sprout one any day now, because he keeps having grumpy fits that seem eased by a little Orajel or some infant Tylenol. I guess eight months is kind of late to not have a single tooth, but I don’t mind that we’re getting sleep because he’s not in pain.
Nighttime Sleep – Last week, we started cutting out Grayson’s night feeding. Typically he woke up between 11:00p.m. and 1:00a.m., and Oscar only gave him about 3-4 ounces to calm him down and get him back to sleep. I knew that soon we were going to have to cut out the night feeding, but I don’t know if we were quite ready yet. His bedtime routine was working: 7:00 we started with the bath if it’s a bath night (every other night, because of his eczema), got him in his pj’s and his sleep sack and put him to sleep with an 8-ounce bottle. He’s definitely gotten used to the routine, and he’s gotten to where he’s an absolute joy to watch during his bathtime. Since we cut out his feedings, he is still waking up once or twice (rare) at night, but we go in and shush him without giving him food and he rolls over on his side and goes back to sleep. Last night he woke up at 10:30 and then went until 7:00 this morning without a peep. I love the satisfaction of feeling that I’ve done something right with his sleep schedule, since it’s one of the huge issues many new parents face.
Naps – Most days, he takes two hour-hour and a half naps, one about 10:00a.m. and another around 2:00p.m. Sometimes he takes the second as late as 3:30, and he’s slept until 5:00 before, but it doesn’t seem to disrupt his bedtime schedule at all, which I’m truly thankful for. I introduced a lovey, a super-soft blanket my Aunt made for him for naps and sleep, and he’s taken to it quite well. She’s a planner, and she made me two to switch out so they get equal wear (smart!).
Eating – Just a few weeks ago, my Mom was able to get Grayson to accept the little puffed rice snacks. She sent me a picture while she was babysitting him one day that said. “Look, Mom! I’m opening my mouth like a little bird!” And he was. He accepts the puffs fairly easily, and we’ve tried sweet potato, blueberry and banana, all of which he seems to like. The baby food though, that’s a whole other story. When the baby food comes out, it’s a torture session. “Oh Mommy, please, no! Not the oatmeal! Not the squash! The carrots! Nooooo!” He’s better about eating for his grandmas, but I still haven’t had much luck at all. His little lips clamp shut and he swooshes his head back and forth – nope. Not gonna do it.
Playtime/Skillz – He can sit up all by himself now for the most part, although I do hold my legs or hands out in case he does wobble. Just in the past few days he’s taken to standing up, propping himself against our leather storage ottoman in our family room. He spends a lot of time on his back playing on his activity mat, and still loves bouncing away in his doorway and stationary bouncer. He loves anything with lights, anything that makes a crinkly noise, and L O V E S Elmo already. Also, he’s figured out that phones are where Elmo and the baby games are, so anytime he sees one, his little arms flail and his eyes get huge. (What have I done??)
As for Oscar and me, we’re quite happy with our little family. A few weeks back, had you asked me that, I’d have said, “No, we want to go ahead and have another,” which was true at the time. But after giving the situation much thought, I’ve realized that I barely have time to myself with just one. His naps are the only time that I have to work this little part-time gig I picked up (transcribing journals) and studying for the GRE (for the next month, anyway). I can’t even find the time to get to my magazine subscriptions, (Real Simple, Parents and Southern Living, in case you’re interested) which sit in a pile next to my bed, calling out to be read. By the time 9:00p.m. rolls around and I can finally get to them, I’d rather sleep instead. And then of course, FINGERS CROSSED, once I get into my graduate school program, I’m going to have even less time. Throwing another baby into that mix seems a little selfish, because someone would fall behind. To be honest, I’m sure it wouldn’t be our babies, but the marriage might suffer.
I guess what I’ve finally decided is that, I’m going to try and focus on the GOOD. I have a beautiful son who laughs every day, a wonderful husband who goes to work to support our family, a goofy dog that I can laugh at every day, wonderful friends and a truckload of family who are there whenever I need them. I intend to fill my days “dwelling in possibility,” as Emily Dickinson said, in hopes that it will overall make me even happier than I already am.
I’m glad you’re feeling peace about the situation! I still hate that your plans were thwarted by insurance because really, I’m just over healthcare and how it dictates what happens in our life. Whether or not you have another child right now should be a decision you and Oscar make, not your insurance plan. Ridiculous. However, I’m glad that you’re okay with it because you’re right – you’re a busy momma! Awesome about the part time gig, too! We definitely have to meet up soon…I’ll be well one of these days, I promise! Also, if you ever want to recycle those Real Simple and Southern Living magazines, I will gladly take them off of your hands! 😉